Page 80 - Summer2018

Legislative Updates

HOUSE FARM BILL FAILS. . . FOR NOW
By Judith McGeary, Esq.

In a surprising development, on May 18th, that it’s not clear how to implement these pro-
the House of Representatives voted down the grams in a feasible manner. In addition, by
Farm Bill, 198-213. This is only the second time changing to a per-week requirement (as opposed
that a farm bill has been voted down on the to the per-month work requirement under the
House floor since the bill was first adopted in current program), the new requirements could
the 1930s. This unusual course of events is due disqualify many part-time workers, from wait-
partly―although not entirely―to the unusually resses to seasonal farm labor, who don’t have
partisan nature of this year’s House version of control over their hours.
the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill has traditionally The press coverage focused on the SNAP
been bipartisan in its development, but this year, debates, but there are other very significant
the Republican majority on the Agriculture issues with the House’s version of the Farm
Committee developed a draft Farm Bill without Bill, ranging from eliminating conservation
reaching any compromises with their fellow programs to the gutting of local control over
committee members from the Democratic party. agriculture and food.

FOOD STAMPS CONTENTION CONSERVATION
The single biggest issue in contention is For decades, the Conservation Stewardship
SNAP, commonly referred to as food stamps. Program (CSP) has provided funds to help farm-
The House Agriculture Committee’s version of ers who choose to implement practices on their
the bill included provisions that require able- farm that promote long-term sustainability. This
bodied adults without children under the age of funding has enabled farmers to help promote
Judith McGeary
is the Austin, Texas, six to prove that they are working or participat- healthy soil, water, air and wildlife habitats that
chapter leader, an ing in a work training program for twenty hours benefit everyone―and, at the same time, im-
attorney and each week in order to qualify for assistance, with prove the profitability of their operations. CSP
small farmer, and the only one month allowed between losing a job funds have been used by livestock producers
executive director of
the Farm and Ranch and sanctions. The first strike would mean los- to build cross-fencing, install water lines and
Freedom Alliance. ing benefits for a year; additional strikes mean take other measures to improve their grazing
She has a B.S. in even longer benefit losses. operations, among many other projects.
biology from Work requirements are already part of the Another program, the Environmental Qual-
Stanford University
and a J.D. from the SNAP program, but the new proposal would ity Incentives Program (EQIP) has also benefit-
University of Texas eliminate exemptions for people with young ed many farmers in implementing stewardship
at Austin. She and children (over the age of six, but still too young practices. Unfortunately, it has also been used
her husband to be left at home alone), and it relies heavily to provide government subsidies to the largest
run a small
grass-based farm on training programs that are not yet in place and most environmentally damaging operations,
with sheep, cattle, in many areas of the country. The last farm bill particularly confined animal feeding operations
horses, and poultry. funded ten pilot projects for training programs, (CAFOs). Contrary to the original intent of
For more to identify best practices as well as to identify EQIP, these factory farms have been able to use
information, go to
farmandranch and address funding and implementation chal- our tax dollars to build “manure management
freedom.org or lenges. The results of the pilot projects aren’t systems,” subsidizing their harmful production
call (254) 697-2661. done yet, so many people have raised concerns practices.

78 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2018